ARLINGTON, Va. — CES, the giant technology event that had called Las Vegas home for more than 40 years before being disrupted by the pandemic, is heading back to Vegas January 5–8, 2022. The show, which was fully digital in 2021, will be a digital/in-person hybrid next year, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes CES.
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Both in-person and digital attendees around the world will be able to learn the latest from major brands and startups at the 2022 show. More than 1,000 companies have already committed to bring their latest and greatest products to the CES show floor in Las Vegas next January. Among them are technology giants such as Amazon, AMD, AT&T, Daimler AG, Dell, Google, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics and Sony. They will be joined by some newcomers, including Caterpillar, Indy Autonomous Challenge and Sierra Space, all of which are planning to make a Las Vegas debut in 2022. Attendees also can look forward to seeing startups from around the world at CES’ Eureka Park.
The show, which is the launching pad for new tech announcements, will hold its Media Days January 3-4, 2022.
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“The pandemic has amplified a truth: As humans we need face-to-face, live, five-sense experiences to innovate, learn, build relationships and discover new products and services,” said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “The CES return to Las Vegas will be a celebration of humanity, resilience, serendipity and innovation. The silver lining of the dark pandemic cloud is the sun is shining and savvy business leaders will see new opportunities to meet efficiently, not only with existing, potential and new customers, but with their own dispersed employees.”
“Beyond Excited” to Be Back
While the show may not draw the 182,000 people to Vegas that it did in 2019 and there likely will be some new health and safety protocols.
“We will not be as big and we will have new practices in place,” Shapiro said, and added he is “beyond excited to return CES to Las Vegas.” CTA will follow all applicable federal, state and local health and safety laws; adapt plans accordingly; and provide regular updates to its audiences as the pandemic and resulting restrictions on group gatherings continue to evolve over time.
For those who will be tuning in digitally, CES will be bringing back its popular anchor desk, which debuted at CES 2021. The broadcast service will again connect CES’ digital audience with exhibitors, product announcements, breakout sessions and keynotes happening at the in-person event. The information flow will continue post-event to give attendees and exhibitors an ongoing platform to which they can connect and learn.
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As for the city? “We’re delighted by the Consumer Technology Association’s announcement that CES will be returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center January 5-8, 2022,” said John Schreiber, vice president of business sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “CES is not only Las Vegas’ biggest annual convention but one of the world’s most exciting gatherings, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back. As the destination begins to once again host larger groups and events, we look forward to providing the only-in-Vegas experiences business travelers expect, while keeping the health and wellbeing of our visitors, workers and community top of mind.”
A Growing Lineup
The CES announcement is just the latest in good news for the trade show business in Las Vegas, which in 2019 drew an estimated 6.6 million people to the city and generated $11.4 billion in total economic output.
Las Vegas welcomed TPE2021 (Tobacco Plus Expo) as the first show to be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) since the pandemic began last year. World of Concrete (WOC) also made a splash when it announced it was returning June 8-10 to the LVCC. The city and the newly opened 550,000-square-foot CAESARS FORUM will have the opportunity to showcase its capabilities when Meeting Professionals International brings its World Education Congress (WEC) to the venue June 15-17.
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Reach Gary Shapiro at (703) 907-7600 or gshapiro@cta.tech
